To reform something, that is to take something in one form and then manipulate it into a different form. The hope is that you are making something better because the old form was not what it could be. When
October, for Lutherans, is a month when we reflect on "The Reformation." In 1517, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther wanted to have a discussion about current practices in the church that he thought were not helpful to the faith, namely the selling of indulgences. He put together an academic argument challenging this practice and posted it for the Wittenberg University community to read. His intent was to offer a change, or a small reform in the church, to improve it. As with all change, there were many who did not like what he suggested. His suggestion? That God's grace was freely given and not earned.
As we know, this small act sparked a larger reformation of the Church, one that no one could have predicted the outcome. It is similar in our time. Though there is not just one voice that has sparked our current reformation, there is no doubt that we are in the midst of one. Change is all around us.
In Luther's time several things fed this change: technology, think the printing press; the cultural shift when the middle class grew and became more educated; and the exploration of the rest of the world that brought Europeans in contact with China, North and South America, and Africa.
In our time we are experiencing a similar shift. Technology, education, and our awareness of the other have sparked a new reformation in the church. Like Luther, we are looking to a future we cannot discern.
So where is God in all of this? One thing that we are certain of as people of faith, is that God is in the midst of this reformation, as God was in the 1500's reformation, as God was in the split of the church in the 1000's, as God was in the spread of the faith in the 500's, as God was when Christ came into the world. God is constantly doing a new thing, reforming what is into something better. This is our hope and our prayer.
We begin a year-long celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on October 30th. Pay attention. There will be many affairs to attend to help celebrate this jubilee. There will also be significant events worldwide that will surprise many. One such event will happen in Lund, Sweden on October 31st. The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church will participate in a worship service hosted by the Lutheran World Federation to mark the beginning of our year-long celebration of the Reformation. Will wonders ever cease?
